Roll-up compressive packaging apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus is provided for packaging compressible material in strip form, such as building insulation. The compressible strip is wound into a roll and held under compression during rolling to provide a compact package. The compressed package is then held by tape, which is automatically fed onto an end portion of the compressible strip as it is being rolled up, with the package then being automatically ejected. The apparatus includes an endless belt carried on a frame and positioned and driven in a manner to form a loop in itself which is in the path of the compressible strip being lineally moved toward the belt. The belt is driven to roll the strip as it is moved into the loop and means are provided for maintaining the belt under tension to place the strip in compression. The tension means for the belt also provides increased pressure on the strip during rolling, and as the loop and roll enlarge. The tape is fed from underneath to a trailing end portion of the strip and is wrapped around the roll after entering the loop. When the roll is completed, part of the frame for the belt is moved away from a stationary part to open the loop and automatically eject the compressed, packaged roll.

United States Patent [191 Miller et al.

[4 1 Oct. 14, 1975 ROLL-UP COMPRESSIVE PACKAGING APPARATUS 73] Assignee:Owens-Coming Fiberglas Corporation, Toledo, Ohio [22] Filed: Nov. 2,1973 [21] Appl. No.: 412,236

[52] US. Cl. 53/21 FW; 53/24; 53/118; 53/124 C; 53/137; 100/5; 100/87[51] Int. Cl B65b 63/04; B65b 63/02 [58] Field of Search 53/24, 124 D,124 C, 214, 53/215, 118, 137, 199, 21 FW; 242/DIG. 3;

Primary ExaminerTravis S. McGehee Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Carl G.Staelin; John W. Overman; Allen D. Gutchess, Jr.

[ ABSIRACT Apparatus is provided for packaging compressible material instrip form, such as building insulation. The compressible strip is woundinto a roll and held under compression during rolling to provide acompact package. The compressed package is then held by tape, which isautomatically fed onto an end portion of the compressible strip as it isbeing rolled up, with the package then being automatically ejected. Theapparatus includes an endless belt carried on a frame and positioned anddriven in a manner to form a loop in itself which is in the path of thecompressible strip being lineally moved toward the belt. The belt isdriven to roll the strip as it is moved into the loop and means areprovided for maintaining the belt under tension to place the strip incompression. The tension means for the belt also provides increasedpressure on the strip during rolling, and as the loop and roll enlarge.The tape is fed from underneath to a trailing end portion of the stripand is wrapped around the roll after entering the loop. When the roll iscompleted, part of the frame for the belt is moved away from astationary part to open the loop and automatically eject the compressed,packaged roll.

33 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 1 014 US.Patent Oct. 14,1975 Sheet2of4 3,911,641

US. Patent 0a. 14, 1975 Sheet 3 of4 3,911,641

US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 4 of4 3,911,641

ROLL-UP COMPRESSIVE PACKAGING APPARATUS This invention relates toapparatus for packaging a strip of compressible material into acompressed roll held by a tape or the like extending therearound.

Heretofore, strips of compressible material, and specifically buildinginsulation, have been removed from the ends of the line on which theyare formed and packaged by workmeh who individually handle the rolls.The packaging heretofore has been slow and laborious with the rollsrequiring considerable handling. Further, the packaged strips have notalways been as neat or compressed to the extent desired. Limitedattempts to partially automate the packaging of the insulation have notbeen successful.

The present invention provides apparatus for packaging buildinginsulation and the like in which a compressible strip of insulation isreceived directly into the apparatus from the end of a production lineon which it is made. The strip is rolled on itself under compression andtaped automatically to provide a finished, packaged roll which is thenautomatically ejected from the apparatus. The insulation is not handledat all until it is in the complete, packaged form. The insulation iscompressed in the package to an extent exceeding that heretoforeachieved, and the insulation is also rolled more uniformly into theroll, with lesser tendency to project or telescope to one side. Further,the labor or effort required by the workmen is less than heretoforeneeded in packaging such material.

More specifically, the apparatus according to the invention includes aninclined conveyor aligned with the discharge end of a conveyor of theproduction line on which the strips of building insulation are made.Typically, two or three strips of the building insulation are formed inside-by-side relationship and are discharged longitudinally off the endof the conveyor, these also being simultaneously rolledup and packaged.Each of the strips comprises a layer of compressible fibers heldtogether by a binder and adhered to a backing sheet on which they aredeposited on the production conveyor line. The overall insulating stripsare commonly inches or 23 inches wide with the thickness of thecompressible insulating layers varying from 2 inches to 6 inches. Itwill be readily understood that a lengthy roll of such a strip, capableof covering 50 to 75 square feet, by way of example, can be quite bulkyif not compressed substantially when packaged. In fact, the packagingshould only be limited by the degree to which the fibers can returnsubstantially to the previous thickness after the packaged roll isopened. Heretofore, such strips have usually not been compressed to themaximum extent possible, short of causing permanent deformation of thefibrous layer.

A frame is located beyond the upper end of the inclined conveyor onwhich is carried an endless movable belt. The belt is positioned anddriven so that a loop or pocket is formed therein in alignment with theupper end of the inclined conveyor. The compressible strip is moved ontoand up the inclined conveyor with the end received into the loop, withthe belt being moved in a manner such that the strip is rolled on itselfwith the backing sheet facing outwardly. The belt is maintained undertension as the roll is wound so that increasing pressure is maintainedon the roll as the loop enlarges to accommodate the ever-increasingdiameter of the roll being packaged. The compressible strip is cut to apredetermined length on the production line and as the trailing end ofthe strip moves up the inclined conveyor, tape is applied thereto, witha portion of the tape adhered to the trailing end of the strip and aportion of the tape extending rearwardly thereof. The latter portion ofthe tape is adhered to the previous wrap of the strip as it is carriedwith the strip into the loop of the belt. Consequently, the roll iscompletely packaged by the time the strip moves into the loop and turnsapproximately one more revolution to cause the tape to adhere to theprevious wrap. At this time, a portion of the frame is swung away tostraighten the portion of the belt forming the loop and to cause theroll to be ejected downwardly. Up to this point, the insulation is nottouched at all by human hands.

It is, therefore, a principal object of the invention to provideimproved apparatus for packaging compressible material in strip form.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for packaging acompressible strip in roll form under greater compression thanheretofore.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus for packaginga compressible strip faster and with less labor.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide apparatus forautomatically packaging a compressible strip and automatically ejectingthe packaged strip therefrom.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus forrolling up a compressible strip and for automatically applying tape tothe strip.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide apparatus forautomatically packaging simultaneously two or more compressible stripsreceived directly from an end of a production line.

Many other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof,reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic, fragmentary side view in elevation of aproduction line and packaging apparatus embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a somewhat schematic top view of the packaging apparatus ofFIG. 1;

FIGS. 3-6 are enlarged, somewhat schematic side views in elevation of aportion of the packaging apparatus and showing various componentsthereof in different positions during the packaging and discharge of astrip of compressible material received from the production line;

FIG. 7 is a somewhat schematic view in perspective of apparatus formaintaining tension on an endless belt of the packaging apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a detailed, schematic view in elevation of an adjustabletake-up which is part of the tension apparatus of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, side view in elevation of a portion of tapedispensing apparatus for applying tape to the trailing edge of thecompressible strip.

Referring to FIG. I, a production line on which a compressible strip,specifically building insulation, can be produced is indicated at 20 andpackaging apparatus for packaging the compressible strip is indicated at22. The production line 20 is of a substantially conventional design andconstruction and will be discussed only generally. A forehearth 24receives heat-softened glass or other flowable, fiber-forming materialfrom a melting furnace 26 of a suitable, known design in which rawmaterial is reduced to a flowable or molten state. The molten glass isfed to fiber-forming units 28 located beneath the forehearth 24. Theunits 28, by way of example, can be hollow, rotatable members orspinners having orifices in the peripheries through which glass isattenuated into primary fibers. The primary fibers are then furtherattenuated and directed downwardly by hot gaseous blasts from blowers orburners (not shown) located adjacent the units 28. The fibers movedownwardly through a forming hood 30 and are sprayed with binder bysuitable spray devices (not shown) which direct the binder into theforming hood transversely of the fiber path. The fibers are thenreceived on an upper flight 32 of a foraminous, endless belt conveyor34, the fibers being collected as a mass or layer 36 of an approximatepredetermined thickness, and are carried along the conveyor 34 towardthe right, as viewed in FIG. 1. A suction chamber 38 is located belowthe upper flight 32 of the conveyor, with an exhaust conduit 40connected to a suction blower (not shown) for establishing a reducedpressure in the chamber 38. The reduced pressure or suction assists inthe collection of the fibers on the flight 32 and also carries away thespent gases of the attenuating blasts and organic particles from thebinder.

The layer 36 of the fibers is advanced to a region between upper andlower foraminous belts 42 and 44 which are positioned to compress thefibers somewhat into a fibrous layer or body 46 of predeterminedthickness. The foraminous belts 42 and 44 convey the fibrous layerthrough an oven or heating chamber 48 in which the binder is set orpartially cured on the fibers at a temperature in the order of 450500F.When the layer 46 emerges from the oven 48, the edges are trimmed bysuitable rotatable knives 50 which remove uneven edge strips from thelayer 46. In this instance, a center one of the rotatable knives 50 canalso be provided to sever the formed layer 46 into two narrower fibrouslayers 52. A plow (not shown) can be used to spread apart the two layers52 somewhat to leave a gap therebetween. At this time, a coated kraftpaper or similar backing sheet 54 can be applied to each of the layers52, these sheets being fed upwardly and underneath the layers 52. Thesheets can have an adhesive suitably applied to the upper sides thereofprior to being fed into contact with the layers 52 to provide adhesiontherebetween. The adhesive can also help serve as a vapor barrier forthe resulting insulation and can also contain a suitable fire retardant.The combined layers 52 and backing sheets 54 are then carried along adischarge conveyor 56 and under a cut off knife 58 which cuts the layers52 and the sheets 56 into building insulation strips 60 of predeterminedlength. The insulation 60, which constitutes compressible strips in thisinstance, is carried from the discharge conveyor 56 onto a supplyconveyor 62 of the packaging apparatus 22. The insulation 60 is thenmoved up an inclined conveyor 64 toward an endless belt 66 carried by aframe 68. Both of the belts 62 and 64 can be driven by a suitable gearreducer mechanism 70 and a drive motor 72. The conveyors 62 and 64 moveat a speed in excess of the conveyors of the line 20 since eachcompressible strip of insulation must be discharged after beingpackaged, thus resulting in a delay which must be compensated for by thefaster packaging speed for the insulation.

The belt 66 has a loop or pocket 74 formed therein which is in alignmentwith the slanted conveyor 64 to receive the forward ends of thecompressible strips or insulation 60. The belt 66 is driven by a driveroll 76 which, in turn, is driven by suitable means such as a chain 78(FIG. 1), idler sprockets 80, a drive chain 82, and a drive unit 84located on an upper portion of the frame 68. The drive roll 76 iscarried by a pivotable sub-frame 86 (FIGS. 3-6) comprising a lowersupporting frame bar 88 and two struts 90 and 92 pivotally mounted by apivot pin 94 which is held by an ear portion 96 of the frame 68.Actually, there is one of the bars 88 and one of each of the struts 90and 92 on each side of the packaging apparatus 22, beyond the ends ofthe drive roll 76. The drive roll 76 also drives a bend roll 98 and foursupporting rolls 100 through a plurality of V-belts 102, seven of suchbelts being used in the particular instance. These belts and rollssupport the lower portion of the belt loop 74 as it expands, and helpscontinue expansion of the loop in the direction shown. The rolls 98 and100 are also supported by the supporting frame bar 88 through suitableside plates (not shown) extending upwardly from the bar 88.

The belt 66 is held against the periphery of the drive roll 76 by apinch roll 104 which is rotatably carried by a lever 106 pivotallymounted on an axle 108 which also rotatably carries the bend roll 98.The lever 108 is operated through a pneumatic cylinder 1 10, beingconnected to a piston rod 112 thereof. The pinch roll 104 forces thebelt 66 into driving contact with the drive roll 76 when the piston rod1 12 is retracted into the cylinder 110. The timing of the operation ofthe pinch roll 104 is important in forming the loop 74, as will bediscussed more fully subsequently.

Beyond the loop 74, in the direction of movement of the belt 66, thebelt bends around a throat roll 114 located above an adjustable plate116 which helps to direct the forward edge of the insulation 60 betweenthe rolls 98 and 114. The plate also prevents the insulation fromcontacting the belt 66 above the throat roll 114 which would tend tokick the insulation up and away from the loop 74. Side plates 117 canalso be employed at the sides of the belts 102 to prevent telescoping ofthe insulation 60, particularly when two or three narrower strips arepackaged instead of a single wide one. The plates are adjustable tocontrol the spacing therebetween.

It is important that the belt 66 be allowed to expand at the loop 74 asthe insulation rolls up therein and yet tension must be maintained onthe belt 66 in order to maintain compressive force or pressure on theinsulation 60 as each wrap is rolled. For this purpose, a takeup ortension mechanism indicated at 118 is carried by the frame 68. Referringto FIGS. 3 and 7, the take-up mechanism 118 includes three stationaryidler rolls 120, 122, and 124 and two upper, vertically-movable take-uprolls 126 and'l28. The rolls 126 and 128 are urged upwardly to place thebelt 66 under tension but move downwardly as the size of the loop 74increases to enable the loop to properly accommodate the everincreasingsize of the package being formed.

The take-up rolls 126 and 128 are supported by chains 130 and 132 whichare wound on sprockets 134 and 136. The chains do not extend completelyaround the sprockets but only sufficiently far to enable the take-uprolls 126 and 128 to move between their extreme upper positions, asshown in FIG. 3, and their extreme lower positions, as shown in FIGS. 5and 6. The sprockets 134 and 136 are affixed to spur gears 138 and 140,respectively, with the sprockets and gears rotatably mounted on axles142 and 144. The gears 138 and 140, in turn, are engaged by a commondrive gear 146 keyed to a shaft 148. A drive sprocket 150 is alsoaffixed to the shaft 148 with a chain 152 affixed to the drive sprocket150 and extending around an idler sprocket 154 to a piston rod 156 of apiston 158 in a cylinder 160.

The drive sprocket 150 is eccentrically mounted on the shaft 148 toprovide a variation in torque, by variation in the length of the torquearm, as measured between the shaft 148 and the point of tangency of thechain 152 on the periphery of the sprocket 150. Comparing FIGS. 3, 4,and 5, the torque arm is shorter when the take-up rolls 126 and 128 arein their upper positions and the torque arm is longer when the take-uprolls are in their lower positions. With a constant fluid supply to thecylinder 160, there will be increased tension on the belt 66 as thetake-up rolls 126 and 128 move lower and the chain 152 acts on a longertorque arm, to urge the drive spur gear 146 in a counterclockwisedirection, and the spur gears 138 and 140 in clockwise directions whichurge the chains 130 and 132 upwardly. The take-up rolls 126 and 128continue to move downwardly, however, as the loop 74 increases, but atthe same time the tension on the belt 66 continues to increase, withadditional pressure placed on the insulation as the size of the rollincreases. There are a set of the gears 146, 138, and 140, the sprockets134 and 136, and the chains 130 and 132 at each end of the take-uprolls.

Beyond the take-up mechanism 118, the belt continues upwardly around anidler roll 162 (FIG. 3), moving back across the top of the frame 68, andaround an idler roll 164. The belt continues downwardly around a loweridler roll 166 carried by the pivotal frame 86. Finally, the beltextends around a slack control roll 168 (FIGS. 3 and 6) back to thedrive roll 76. Each end of the slack control roll 168 is rotatablycarried by a lever 170 which is pivotally mounted by a pin 172 to thesupporting bar 88. The lever 170 is pivotally moved by a piston rod 174extending from a cylinder 176 which is also pivoted by a pin 178 to thebar 88. The roll 168 helps to maintain tension on the belt 66immediately adjacent the drive roll 76 and also controls the slack inthe belt when the frame 86 is opened, as will be discussed subsequently.

To help form a controlled, round package, a pair of float rolls 180 and182 (see FIG. 4) can be located above the loop 74 to place apredetermined amount of pressure thereagainst as the loop enlarges. Theends of the float rolls 180 and 182 are each carried by a triangularplate 184 which is pivotally mounted by a pin 186 on a lever arm 188.The lever arm 188 is pivotally mounted by a pin 190 to an ear 192affixed to the frame 68. The opposite ends of both of the lever arms 188are connected by a cross bar which is pivotally connected to a pistonrod 194 which extends into a centrallylocated cylinder 196, the upperend of which is pivotally supported through the pin 94 by the frame 68.Fluid pressure is supplied to the rod end of the cylinder 196 to urgethe piston rod 194 upwardly and reduce the pressure of the float rolls180 and 182 on the loop 74. Without the cylinder 196, the weight of therolls on the related components would be excessive.

As the loop builds up, the carrier plates 184 pivot with respect to thelevers 188 to maintain both of the rolls against the loop, as shown inFIG. 5, for example. As the roll size increases, an additional floatroll 198 also engages the outer surface of the loop 74 for additionalcontrol of the package. With the roll discharged, the piston rod 194would revert to the lower position, nothing supporting the float rolls180, 182, and 198. Because this is too slow, however, fluid pressure istemporarily supplied to the blind end of the cylinder 196 to morequickly return it and the rolls to the lower position, ready for thenext compressive strip. The float rolls are not used in all instances,being more advantageous for a single wide strip of insulation. When theside plates 117 are used as is usually the case, the float rolls are notused.

When the roll is complete and an elongate, flexible material in the formof tape or an overwrap, to be discussed subsequently, has been wrappedthereon, the roll is automatically discharged. For this purpose, apiston rod 200 (FIG. 6) is pivotally connected by a pin 202 to each ofthe rear corners of the pivotable frame 86. The piston rod 200 extendsinto a cylinder 204 which is pivotally connected by a pin 206 to anupper rear corner of the frame 68, the pivot pin 206 being spacedsubstantially to the rear of the pivot pin 94 for the frame 86.Consequently, when fluid is supplied to the rod end of the cylinder 204and the piston rod 200 is retracted, the frame 86 pivots in acounterclockwise direction to the position of FIG. 6. At this time, thefluid-operated cylinder is operated through sensing means, such as aproximity switch S1, to extend the piston rod 112 and move the pinchroll 104 outwardly. This immediately reduces the engagement of the driveroll 76 with the belt 66, substantially stopping it. At the same time,the switch S1 causes fluid to be supplied to the blind end of thecylinder 176 to extend the piston rod 174 and move the slack controlroll 168 in a counterclockwise direction. This takes up substantiallyall slack in the belt 66 and eliminates the loop 74 for the time being,causing a package 208 to be discharged downwardly from the apparatus 22.In some instances, a protective overwrap can be substituted for the tapeand wound around the roll while in the apparatus. For this purpose, theoverwrap has suitable adhesive near one end. The overwrap also can beapplied later, if desired.

After discharge, the piston rod 200 is extended once again and thepiston rod 174 retracted. As the frame 86 approaches its originalposition of FIG. 3, the proximity switch S1 causes the piston rod 112 toretract to place slack in the belt 66 upstream of the loop 74, andcauses the piston rod 112 to retract to enable the pinch roll 104 toagain squeeze the belt 66 between it and the drive roll 76. This causesthe belt to immediately begin to move and causes a portion to projectbetween the throat rolls 98 and 114, thereby forming the loop 74 again.The operation of the pinch roll 104 thereby is important in enabling theloop 74 to be formed. The apparatus 22 is then in its receiving positionand ready to form a package from the next compressive strip or stripscut off by the knife 58.

The initial size of the loop 74 can be adjusted by controlling thepositions of the stationary rolls 122 and 124. As shown in FIG. 8, thiscan be accomplished through bearing blocks 210 for the rolls which areconnected through screws 212 to threaded, fixed supporting members 214having adjustable hand wheels 216 to move the screws 212 up and downrelative to the fixed members 214.

To maintain the roll of the compressible strip in compression, at leastone length of tape is preferably applied to the backing sheets of eachroll. The length of tape preferably should be applied so that aboutonehalf the length is adhered to the trailing end portion of theinsulation 60 while the other half can be applied to the backing sheetof the previous wrap of insulation as the rolll is rotated in the loopor pocket 74. However, many variations in the application of the tapeare possible. The tape can even be wrapped completely around the packageto overlap the joint thereof twice.

Referring to FIG. 1, two banks of tape dispensers 218 are located belowthe conveyor 62. .A tape transfer conveyor 220 is located in front ofthe dispensers 218 and is positioned to receive tape from the bank whichis in operation. The two banks enable one bank to be refilled, serviced,etc. while the other is in use. Tape from the dispenser 218 is fedlineally along the transfer conveyor 220 to a lower end of the inclinedconveyor 64.

The dispensers 218 are commercially available, differing in that thetape is dispensed with the glue or adhesive side facing upwardly. Toproperly activate the glue on the upper surface of the tape, a specialapplicator indicated at 222 in FIG. 9 is employed. A tape trough 224 ismounted in front of the dispensing opening of the dispenser 218 with asuitable drain opening 226 therein for returning water to a tank orreceptacle 228. A relatively stiff brush 230 has bristles 232 and a head234 which is affixed to a housing 236. Water is sprayed from a sprayhead 238 having a supply line 240 extended to a suitable source (notshown) with the water directed onto the bristles 232 from which thewater flows uniformly downwardly and onto the tape in the trough 224.Baffles 242 are located at the sides of the trough 224. Waterintercepted by the baffles flows to the side and through the drainopening 226. With this arrangement, the water is uniformly and rapidlyapplied to the upper, glue side of the tape.

With the special applicator 222 and the commercially-availabledispensers 218, the tape can be dispensed ready for applying at speedsin excess of 40 inches per second. The tapes are fed out along theconveyor 220 and the inclined conveyor 64 until their upper ends arenear the conveyor 62. At this point, the tapes would tend to be draggedalong the conveyor 64 but the opposite ends of the tapes are still heldwithin the dispensers 218 so that the tapes remain until the other endsare cut. At that time, the tapes are carried up the ocnveyor 64 intocontact with the backing sheets 54 of the insulation 60, and are carriedtherealong into the loop 74. The timing of the tapes and lengths thereofare such that one-half of each of the tapes is affixed to the trailingend of the insulation and the other half is wound around and affixed tothe backing sheet of the adjacent wrap of the insulation. This providesa secure package with a minimum amount of tape and yet a package whichmaintains the high compressive forces on the insulation after thepackage is complete.

The overall operation of the packaging apparatus 22 will now bediscussed. When the leading edge of the insulation 60 passes a pair ofelectric eyes or other sensing device S2 located beyond the cut offknife 58, a first, tape delay timer is started which provides a shortdelay and then starts a second, tape length timer. At this time, thetape dispensers 218 feed out tape and continue to do so until the tapelength timer times out. The forward ends of the tape at this time are onthe inclined conveyor 64. When the trailing edge of the insulation 60passes the electric eye sensing device S2, a tape cut-off delay timerstarts. When this timer times out, the tape is cut and at the same timea fourth, delay eject timer starts. When the tape is cut, it is carriedinto the loop 74 with the trailing edge of the insulation. After thedelay eject timer times out, it actuates the cylinders 204 for thepivotable frame 86 and causes it to swing out and discharge the packagedroll. By this time, the tape will have been wound onto the adjacent wrapof the backing sheet of the insulation. The cylinders 110, 160, 176, and196 also will operate through their cycles. The cylinders are actuatedtemporarily so that the frame 86 and the various components return tothe position of FIG. 3 ready to receive another of the compressivestrips in a minimum of time.

Various modifications of the above-described embodiment of the inventionwill be apparent to those skilled in the art, and it is to be understoodthat such modifications can be made without departing from the scope ofthe invention, if they are within the spirit and the tenor of theaccompanying claims.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for rolling and compressing a flexible, compressible strip,said apparatus comprising an endless belt, a portion of said beltdefining a loop, means for feeding an end of the strip into the loop,means for moving said belt, means for placing said belt under tension toplace the strip in compression as it is rolled in the loop, means fordischarging the rolled strip from said loop by straightening said loopafter the strip is rolled up, and means associated with said movingmeans for substantially disengaging said moving means from said beltwhen the rolled strip is being discharged.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by said belt movingmeans comprises a drive roll engageable with said belt adjacent theopening of said loop and on the upstream side of said loop.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 characterized by said disengagingmeans comprises a pinch roll, and means for moving said pinch rolltoward and away from said drive roll with said belt being disposedtherebetween.

4. Apparatus acording to claim 1 characterized further by a plurality ofsupporting rolls disposed generally under said loop to support the loopand the strip therein as the loop expands.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 characterized by belt means carried bysaid supporting rolls and movable in the same direction as the lowerportion of said loop.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by said dischargingmeans comprises a pivotable frame carrying a portion of said belt andsaid belt moving means.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 characterized by Q a slack controlroll carried by said pivotable frame, and means for moving said slackcontrol roll outwardly from said pivotable frame to reduce the slack inthe loop of the belt as the pivotable frame is opened.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by a float rollpositioned above the loop and engageable therewith as the loop increasesin size, and means for controlling the amount of pressure applied to theloop by said float roll.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 characterized by at least oneadditional float roll positioned adjacent and in parallel relationshipwith the first float control roll.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by means for applying alength of tape to a trailing end of the strip with the tape extendingsubstantially beyond the trailing end, as the trailing end approachesthe loop.

11. Apparatus for rolling and compressing a flexible, compressible stripinto a roll, said apparatus comprising an endless belt, means forsupporting and driving said belt in a manner to define a loop therein,means for feeding an end of the strip into the loop, means fordischarging the rolled strip from said loop after the strip is rolledup, means for placing said belt under increasing tension to supplygreater pressure to the strip being rolled as the loop increases insize, said tension means comprises at least two stationary rolls, anintermediate, take-up roll positioned therebetween and movable towardand away from said stationary rolls, said belt extending around one ofsaid stationary rolls, around said take-up roll, and around the other ofsaid stationary rolls, means for urging said take-up roll in a directionaway from said stationary rolls, said urging means comprising a firstelongate, flexible member connected with said take-up roll, circularmeans spaced from said takeup roll around which a portion of saidflexible member is wrapped, means for urging said circular means in adirection to wrap the flexible member thereon, said last-named meanscomprising a shaft, means connected with said shaft for engaging saidcircular means, tensioning means mounted on said shaft in an eccentricmanner, a second flexible member wrapped on said tensioning means, andmeans for placing said second flexible member under tension resulting ina force on said first elongate flexible member which is insufficient toprevent movement of said take-up roll toward said stationary rolls asthe loop increases in size, the eccentric mounting of said tensioningmember causing the distance from the tangential point of departure ofsaid second flexible member to said shaft to increase as said take-uproll moves toward said stationary rolls.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 characterized by said means forplacing said second flexible member under tension comprising afluid-operated cylinder having a piston rod connected to said secondflexible member.

13. Apparatus according to claim 11 characterized by a gear mounted onsaid shaft and rotatable therewith and a second gear connected androtatable with said circular means and meshing with said first gear.

14. Apparatus according to claim 11 characterized by said means forsupporting and guiding said belt comprises a drive roll engageable withthe belt adjacent the opening of the loop.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14 characterized by a pinch roll, andmeans for moving said pinch roll toward and away from said drive rollwith said belt being positioned between them.

16. Apparatus according to claim 11 characterized by said dischargingmeans comprises a pivotable frame carrying a portion of said belt, andmeans for pivoting said pivotable frame when the strip is rolled up.

17. Apparatus according to claim 11 characterized by a float rollpositioned above the loop and engageable therewith as the loop increasesin size, and means for controlling the amount of pressure applied to theloop by said float roll.

18. Apparatus according to claim 11 characterized by means for applyinga length of tape to a trailing end of the strip with the tape extendingsubstantially beyond the trailing end, as the trailing end approachesthe loop.

19. Apparatus for rolling and compressing a flexible, compressiblestrip, said apparatus comprising a belt, a portion of said belt defininga loop, means for feeding an end of the strip into the loop, means forplacing said belt under tension, means for moving said belt, means fordischarging the rolled strip from said loop after the strip is rolledup, means for applying a length of elongate, flexible material to theother end of the strip prior to the other end entering said belt loop,with the elongate flexible material extending substantially beyond theother end, said means for feeding an end of the strip into the loopcomprises a conveyor, and said applying means comprises means forplacing a portion of the elongate, flexible material on said conveyorprior to the other end of the strip passing beyond said conveyor.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19 characterized by said elongate,flexible material being a tape fed with an adhesive side facingupwardly, and means for activating the adhesive prior to feeding thetape onto said conveyor.

21. Apparatus according to claim 20 characterized by said means foractivating the adhesive comprises bristles having lower ends in contactwith the adhesive side of the tape, and means for applying water to saidbristles.

22. Apparatus according to claim 21 characterized by said water applyingmeans comprises a spray head.

23. Apparatus according to claim 19 characterized by means forincreasing the tension on said belt as the size of the loop increases.

24. Apparatus for rolling and compressing a flexible, compressiblestrip, said apparatus comprising an endless belt, a portion of whichdefines an open loop, means for feeding an end of the strip into theloop, means for moving said belt, said moving means being positionedadjacent the opening of the loop and on the upstream side thereof, meansfor placing said belt under tension to place the strip in compression asit is rolled in the loop, means for discharging the rolled strip fromsaid loop by straightening said loop after the strip is rolled up, andmeans associated with said moving means for reducing the rate ofmovement of said belt by said moving means when the rolled strip isbeing discharged.

25. Apparatus according to claim 24 characterized by said belt movingmeans comprises a drive roll engageable with said belt.

26. Apparatus for rolling and compressing a flexible, compressiblestrip, said apparatus comprising an endless belt, a portion of whichdefines a loop, means for feeding an end of the strip into the loop,means for moving said belt, means for placing said belt under tension toplace the strip in compression as it is rolled in the loop, means fordischarging the rolled strip from said loop by straightening said loopafter the strip is rolled up, and a plurality of supporting rollsdisposed generally under said loop to support the loop and the striptherein as the loop expands.

27. Apparatus according to claim 26 characterized by belt means carriedby said supporting rolls and movable in the same direction as the lowerportion of said loop.

28. A method for rolling, compressing, and packaging a flexible,compressible, elongate body, said method comprising moving said elongatebody in a path parallel to its longitudinal extent, directing a forwardend of said elongate body into a confined zone of generally circulartransverse cross section, wrapping the forward end of said elongate bodyinto a spiral while placing pressure on the entire portion of the outersurface of said elongate body which is in said zone except for thatportion of the zone where the elongate body enters, and continuing towrap the body into the spiral configuration while placing pressuresequentially on the portions of the outer surface of said body withinsaid zone at least until the other end of said elongate body enters saidzone.

29. A method according to claim 28 characterized further by applying apackaging material around the final portion of the outer surface of saidbody within said zone prior to releasing the wrapped body from saidzone.

30. Apparatus for rolling and compressing a flexible, compressiblestrip, said apparatus comprising an endless belt, a portion of whichdefines an open loop, means for feeding an end of the strip into theloop, means for moving said belt, means for placing said belt undertension to place the strip in compression as it is rolled in the loop,means for discharging the rolled strip from said loop by straighteningsaid loop after the strip is rolled up, and said means for feeding anend of a strip into a loop comprises a conveyor located below the stripand a guide plate located above said conveyor for aiding in directingthe forward end of the strip into the loop, the edge of said plate awayfrom said loop being adjustable in a direction toward and away from saidconveyor.

31. Apparatus for rolling and compressing a flexible, compressiblestrip, said apparatus comprising a belt, a portion of said belt defininga loop, means for feeding an end of the strip into the loop, means forplacing said belt under tension, means for moving said belt, means fordischarging the rolled strip from said loop after the strip is rolledup, means for applying a length of elongate, flexible material to theother end of the strip prior to the other end entering said belt loop,with the elongate, flexible material extending substantially beyond theother end, said means for moving said belt comprises a drive rollengagable with said belt adjacent the opening of said loop and on theupstream side thereof, a pinch roll adjacent said drive roll, and meansfor moving said pinch roll toward and away from said drive roll with thebelt disposed therebetween.

32. Apparatus for packaging a flexible, elongate strip of insulatingmaterial, said apparatus comprising an endless belt, a portion of whichdefines a loop, a conveyor for carrying the elongate strip in alongitudinal direction into said loop, means for feeding a length oftape having an adhesive side facing upwardly along with said conveyorand into contact with the lower surface of said elongate strip towardthe trailing end thereof, means for activating the adhesive prior tofeeding the tape into contact with the trailing end of the elongatestrip, and means for releasing said tape when a portion thereof extendssubstantially beyond the trailing end of said elongate strip.

33. Apparatus for rolling and compressing flexible, elongate strips inside-by-side relationship, said apparatus comprising an endless belt, aportion of which defines an open loop, means for substantiallysimultaneously feeding ends of adjacent strips in side-by-siderelationship into said loop, means for moving said belt, means forplacing said belt under tension to place the strips in compression asthey are rolled into the loop, means for substantially simultaneouslydischarging the rolled strips from said loop by straightening said loopafter the strips are rolled up, a restriction plate located adjacenteach opposite edge portion of said belt which defines the loop torestrict transverse movement of the outer ones of said strips as theyare being rolled, said plate being of a size at least substantiallyequal to said loop at the time the rolled strips are completed.

1. Apparatus for rolling and compressing a flexible, compressible strip,said apparatus comprising an endless belt, a portion of said beltdefining a loop, means for feeding an end of the strip into the loop,means for moving said belt, means for placing said belt under tension toplace the strip in compression as it is rolled in the loop, means fordischarging the rolled strip from said loop by straightening said loopafter the strip is rolled up, and means associated with said movingmeans for substantially disengaging said moving means from said beltwhen the rolled strip is being discharged.
 2. Apparatus according toclaim 1 characterized by said belt moving means comprises a drive rollengageable with said belt adjacent the opening of said loop and on theupstream side of said loop.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2characterized by said disengaging means comprises a pinch roll, andmeans for moving said pinch roll toward and away from said drive rollwith said belt being disposed therebetween.
 4. Apparatus acording toclaim 1 characterized further by a plurality of supporting rollsdisposed generally under said loop to support the loop and the striptherein as the loop expands.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 4characterized by belt means carried by said supporting rolls and movablein the same direction as the lower portion of said loop.
 6. Apparatusaccording to claim 1 characterized by said discharging means comprises apivotable frame carrying a portion of said belt and said belt movingmeans.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6 characterized by a slackcontrol roll carried by said pivotable frame, and means for moving saidslack control roll outwardly from said pivotable frame to reduce theslack in the loop of the belt as the pivotable frame is opened. 8.Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by a float roll positionedabove the loop and engageable therewith as the loop increases in size,and means for controlling the amount of pressure applied to the loop bysaid float roll.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 8 characterized by atleast one additional float roll positioned adjacent and in parallelrelationship with the first float control roll.
 10. Apparatus accordingto claim 1 characterized by means for applying a length of tape to atrailing end of the strip with the tape extending substantially beyondthe trailing end, as the trailing end approaches the loop.
 11. Apparatusfor rolling and compressing a flexible, compressible strip into a roll,said apparatus comprising an endless belt, means for supporting anddriving said belt in a manner to define a loop therein, means forfeeding an end of the strip into the loop, means for discharging therolled strip from said loop after the strip is rolled up, means forplacing said belt under increasing tension to supply greater pressure tothe strip being rolled as the loop increases in size, said tension meanscomprises at least two stationary rolls, an intermediate, take-up rollpositioned therebetween and movable toward and away from said stationaryrolls, said belt extending around one of said stationary rolls, aroundsaid take-up roll, and around the other of said stationary rolls, meansfor urging said take-up roll in a direction away from said stationaryrolls, said urging means comprising a first elongate, flexible memberconnected with said take-up roll, circular means spaced from saidtake-up roll around which a portion of said flexible member is wrapped,means for urging said circular means in a direction to wrap the flexiblemember thereon, said last-named means comprising a shaft, meansconnected with said shaft for engaging said circular means, tensioningmeans mounted on said shaft in an eccentric manner, a second flexiblemember wrapped on said tensioning means, and means for placing saidsecond flexible member under tension resulting in a force on said firstelongate flexible member which is insufficient to prevent movement ofsaid take-up roll towArd said stationary rolls as the loop increases insize, the eccentric mounting of said tensioning member causing thedistance from the tangential point of departure of said second flexiblemember to said shaft to increase as said take-up roll moves toward saidstationary rolls.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 11 characterized bysaid means for placing said second flexible member under tensioncomprising a fluid-operated cylinder having a piston rod connected tosaid second flexible member.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 11characterized by a gear mounted on said shaft and rotatable therewithand a second gear connected and rotatable with said circular means andmeshing with said first gear.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 11characterized by said means for supporting and guiding said beltcomprises a drive roll engageable with the belt adjacent the opening ofthe loop.
 15. Apparatus according to claim 14 characterized by a pinchroll, and means for moving said pinch roll toward and away from saiddrive roll with said belt being positioned between them.
 16. Apparatusaccording to claim 11 characterized by said discharging means comprisesa pivotable frame carrying a portion of said belt, and means forpivoting said pivotable frame when the strip is rolled up.
 17. Apparatusaccording to claim 11 characterized by a float roll positioned above theloop and engageable therewith as the loop increases in size, and meansfor controlling the amount of pressure applied to the loop by said floatroll.
 18. Apparatus according to claim 11 characterized by means forapplying a length of tape to a trailing end of the strip with the tapeextending substantially beyond the trailing end, as the trailing endapproaches the loop.
 19. Apparatus for rolling and compressing aflexible, compressible strip, said apparatus comprising a belt, aportion of said belt defining a loop, means for feeding an end of thestrip into the loop, means for placing said belt under tension, meansfor moving said belt, means for discharging the rolled strip from saidloop after the strip is rolled up, means for applying a length ofelongate, flexible material to the other end of the strip prior to theother end entering said belt loop, with the elongate flexible materialextending substantially beyond the other end, said means for feeding anend of the strip into the loop comprises a conveyor, and said applyingmeans comprises means for placing a portion of the elongate, flexiblematerial on said conveyor prior to the other end of the strip passingbeyond said conveyor.
 20. Apparatus according to claim 19 characterizedby said elongate, flexible material being a tape fed with an adhesiveside facing upwardly, and means for activating the adhesive prior tofeeding the tape onto said conveyor.
 21. Apparatus according to claim 20characterized by said means for activating the adhesive comprisesbristles having lower ends in contact with the adhesive side of thetape, and means for applying water to said bristles.
 22. Apparatusaccording to claim 21 characterized by said water applying meanscomprises a spray head.
 23. Apparatus according to claim 19characterized by means for increasing the tension on said belt as thesize of the loop increases.
 24. Apparatus for rolling and compressing aflexible, compressible strip, said apparatus comprising an endless belt,a portion of which defines an open loop, means for feeding an end of thestrip into the loop, means for moving said belt, said moving means beingpositioned adjacent the opening of the loop and on the upstream sidethereof, means for placing said belt under tension to place the strip incompression as it is rolled in the loop, means for discharging therolled strip from said loop by straightening said loop after the stripis rolled up, and means associated with said moving means for reducingthe rate of movement of said belt by said moving means when the rolledstrip is being discharged.
 25. Apparatus acCording to claim 24characterized by said belt moving means comprises a drive rollengageable with said belt.
 26. Apparatus for rolling and compressing aflexible, compressible strip, said apparatus comprising an endless belt,a portion of which defines a loop, means for feeding an end of the stripinto the loop, means for moving said belt, means for placing said beltunder tension to place the strip in compression as it is rolled in theloop, means for discharging the rolled strip from said loop bystraightening said loop after the strip is rolled up, and a plurality ofsupporting rolls disposed generally under said loop to support the loopand the strip therein as the loop expands.
 27. Apparatus according toclaim 26 characterized by belt means carried by said supporting rollsand movable in the same direction as the lower portion of said loop. 28.A method for rolling, compressing, and packaging a flexible,compressible, elongate body, said method comprising moving said elongatebody in a path parallel to its longitudinal extent, directing a forwardend of said elongate body into a confined zone of generally circulartransverse cross section, wrapping the forward end of said elongate bodyinto a spiral while placing pressure on the entire portion of the outersurface of said elongate body which is in said zone except for thatportion of the zone where the elongate body enters, and continuing towrap the body into the spiral configuration while placing pressuresequentially on the portions of the outer surface of said body withinsaid zone at least until the other end of said elongate body enters saidzone.
 29. A method according to claim 28 characterized further byapplying a packaging material around the final portion of the outersurface of said body within said zone prior to releasing the wrappedbody from said zone.
 30. Apparatus for rolling and compressing aflexible, compressible strip, said apparatus comprising an endless belt,a portion of which defines an open loop, means for feeding an end of thestrip into the loop, means for moving said belt, means for placing saidbelt under tension to place the strip in compression as it is rolled inthe loop, means for discharging the rolled strip from said loop bystraightening said loop after the strip is rolled up, and said means forfeeding an end of a strip into a loop comprises a conveyor located belowthe strip and a guide plate located above said conveyor for aiding indirecting the forward end of the strip into the loop, the edge of saidplate away from said loop being adjustable in a direction toward andaway from said conveyor.
 31. Apparatus for rolling and compressing aflexible, compressible strip, said apparatus comprising a belt, aportion of said belt defining a loop, means for feeding an end of thestrip into the loop, means for placing said belt under tension, meansfor moving said belt, means for discharging the rolled strip from saidloop after the strip is rolled up, means for applying a length ofelongate, flexible material to the other end of the strip prior to theother end entering said belt loop, with the elongate, flexible materialextending substantially beyond the other end, said means for moving saidbelt comprises a drive roll engagable with said belt adjacent theopening of said loop and on the upstream side thereof, a pinch rolladjacent said drive roll, and means for moving said pinch roll towardand away from said drive roll with the belt disposed therebetween. 32.Apparatus for packaging a flexible, elongate strip of insulatingmaterial, said apparatus comprising an endless belt, a portion of whichdefines a loop, a conveyor for carrying the elongate strip in alongitudinal direction into said loop, means for feeding a length oftape having an adhesive side facing upwardly along with said conveyorand into contact with the lower surface of said elongate strip towardthe trailing end thereof, means for activating the adhesive prior tofeeding the tape into contaCt with the trailing end of the elongatestrip, and means for releasing said tape when a portion thereof extendssubstantially beyond the trailing end of said elongate strip. 33.Apparatus for rolling and compressing flexible, elongate strips inside-by-side relationship, said apparatus comprising an endless belt, aportion of which defines an open loop, means for substantiallysimultaneously feeding ends of adjacent strips in side-by-siderelationship into said loop, means for moving said belt, means forplacing said belt under tension to place the strips in compression asthey are rolled into the loop, means for substantially simultaneouslydischarging the rolled strips from said loop by straightening said loopafter the strips are rolled up, a restriction plate located adjacenteach opposite edge portion of said belt which defines the loop torestrict transverse movement of the outer ones of said strips as theyare being rolled, said plate being of a size at least substantiallyequal to said loop at the time the rolled strips are completed.